Oil-gas producer



E. A. WEST AND E. E. PARSONS.

OIL GAS PRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE5. I918.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

3 SHEET$-SHEET l.

manta]? E. A. WEST AND E. E. PARSONS.

OIL GAS PRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. 1918- 92 1H 4 m M Q a; W H 0 MW W 8 .a m @5 Z;M? A 1 m w rfu m a a n P w 4 1 a m 0 s N w 3 1 E J 6 I Q L. M J 2 1 0 4////M-4. I :7 1 /i 6 4 J v 1 a \l H H J w 8 a w 6 3 "W 1 E. A. WEST ANDE. E. PARSONS.

OIL GAS PRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. $918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Aug. 2,1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. WEST, OF WEST PARK, AND EDWARD E. PARSONS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO,

.ASSIGNOBS TO THE OIL GAS. PRODUCER COMPANY, OF CLEVEL AJTD, OHIO, ACOR- I IE'ORAJIIOIN' OF OHIO.

OIL-GAS PRODUCER.

Application filed June 5,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, (1) EDwAnD A. Weed and(2) EDWARD E. PARSONS, cltlzens of the United States, residing at (1)West Park, (2) Cleveland inthe county of Cuyahoga and State of ()hio,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in O1l-Gas Producers,of which the following 1s a full, clear, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to devices or apparatus for gasifying liquidfuels and, in the embodiment disclosed herein, 1s particularlyapplicable for use in con unctlon with internal combustion engines as asubstitute for the carbureters ordinarlly employed therewith.

It is the general purpose and ob ect of this invention to provide adevice of this character which will enable such engines to be startedand operated continuously with fuel oils, as distinguished from gasoleneand other lighter distillates; to provide a device which is capable ofbeing operated, not only with various grades of such 011s, but whichwill be capable of operatlng with complete gasification of the liquidfuel and which will be eiiicient and reliable 1n op- V eration andcapable of withstanding all of the ordinary incidents of use. We'accom-l plish the foregoing object and other ob ects -which will appearhereinafter in and through the construction embodied in the drawingsforming part hereof wherein Fig ure 1 represents a slde elevation of a'gasifying device constructed In accordance with our invention. Fig. 2 acentral vertical sectional view through such device, Fig. 3, a view,similar to Fig. 1, with parts broken away, the view being taken at about90 degrees from Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a S6Qt1OI1alV1BW corresponding to theline 4-4 of F 1g. 2; Fig. 5 a detail in plan of the extinguishingdevice; Fig. 6, a detail in section of the cam for operating the liqu1dfuel supgl-y valve, the cam disks being in different re ative positionsthan in Fig. 3; and Fig. a detail in perspective of the washer whichassists in supporting the spring and cup of the liquid fuel supplyvalve.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921. 1918. Serial No. 238,251.

The invention illustrated, described, and I claimed herein is in somerespects a con-' tmuation of our application #186,606, filed August 16,1917.

Referring to the drawings, 1 denotes generally the casing of our gas.producing de vlce, said casing comprising an elongated cyllndricalchamber 2, the upper end whereof is rounded andwith which therecommunicates a cylindrical outlet connection in the form of a neck 3.

Secured to the bottom of the casing 1 and constituting a bottom closurefor the chamber 2 1s a plate 4, said plate having an internally threadedopening 5 located centrally thereof into which there is threaded a valveseat member comprising a plate 6 having an externally threaded flange 7provided with a beveled valve seat 8. The plate 6 is provided with acircular series of perforations 9 therethrough; also with a dependingexternally threaded boss 10, the said boss and the plate .6 beingapertured for the reception of the stem 11 of a valve .12, said valvehaving a beveled seat-engaging portion 12 and being provided with anaperture 13 through which a fixed amount of air may at all times enterthe chamber 2. Mounted on a stud 14, projecting upwardly from thecentral portion of the valve 12 is a diffusing plate 15, said platebeing preferably curved upwardly at the peripheral portion thereof andproviding at all times a passageway 16 beneath and around the peripheralportion thereof and the adjacent surfaces of the plate 4 and the chamber2. Threaded upon the boss 10 is a sleeve 17 having a disk 18 at itslower end, said disk being provided with an annular seat 19 for one endof a spiral spring 20, the opposite means of'afcotter pin 22. The outeredge of the disk. 181s notched, as indicated at 18*,

the notches coiiperating with the arm 23 of af'loicking spring securedto and projecting from the plate 6.

Extending into the chamber 2 is the de- 7 livery section, of the liquidfuel supply conduit. This delivery section, indicated at 24,

. into the opposite sides of the chamber 2, be-

ing rovided with a connection 25 from whic a pipe (not shown) may inturn extend to the ordinary float feed chamber employed with carburetersand adapted to maintain a level slightly below the restricted. port 26in the bore 26. At a point beyond the central portion of the chamber 2,the

.bore 26 communicates with a vertical port 27 extending through saidsection and having a downwardly directed discharge outlet 28 and anupwardly directed discharge outlet 29. Mounted in that portion of thebore of the section 24 which is opposite the passageway 26 is areciprocating needle valve 30, said needle valve being operated throughconnections to be described hereinafter. Surrounding the dischargeoutlet 28 is an annular ledge or lip 28 which prevents the liquid suplied through the orifice 28 from flowing a ong the body of the section24 and thence accumulating upon the inner wall of the chamber 2. Asimilar lip or ledge 29 surrounds the discharge orifice 29.

Immediately below the supply section 24 and extending beneath and beyondthe outlet 28 i a heating element comprising a metallic body 31 throughwhich there extends an electrode 32, insulated therefrom. Attached tothe inner end of this electrode is a suitable resistance 33, which iswrapped about an insulating body 34, in which the electrode 32 ismounted said body being supported within the metallic casing 31. Theopposite end of the resistance 33 may be ounded to the metallic body orto the casing. As shown, this resistance preferably is seated in aspiral groove formed in such insulating body. The resistance will beheated in any convenient manner for the starting operation, as by meansof the circuit including the storage battery.

Interposed between the supply conduit section 24 and the heating elementcomprising the parts 3134 is an air diffusing and distributing plate 35.This plate extends entirely across the chamber 2, with its peripheralportion fitting snugly against the inner wall of said chamber, and maybe conveniently suspended from the conduit section 24 as by means ofupwardly extending flanges 36 each having an aperture therethrough forthe reception of said section. This plate is provided with a largeaperture 37 located beneath and registering with the through port 27. Inaddition, it is provided with a number of small apertures 38 vspectively.

out its extent and serving to diffuse the air entering through to thevalve 12 into the portion of the chamber above said plate.

In order to ignite the mixture of air and liquid fuel within the chamber2, a spark plug 39 is provided, said plug being screwed into adownwardly inclined opening in the wall of the chamber 2 above saidplate and above the section 24. This spark plug may be operated by avibrator independent of the ignition system for the motor, or in anyother convenient manner. If operated continuously, it will serve thepurpose of reigniting the mixture within the chamber 2 should the flametherein become extinguished. By inclining the plug d0wnwardly any liquidfuel that might accumulate thereon will be delivered into the chamber insuch manner as to insure its gasification.

Above the spark plug is a flame extin guisher which may be convenientlyformed asv a casting secured within the outlet portion of the chamber,as by means of screws 40 threaded into opposite sides of the wall ofsaid chamber, their inner pointed ends entering corresponding recesses41 in the outer wall 41 of the extinguisher. The extinguisher comprisesa series of parallel disks, three such disks being shown and indicatedrespectively at 42, 43, and 44, each connected to and preferably castwith the outer wall 41 and each having an aperture therethrough,indicated at 42, 43, and 44, re- The aperture .44 is located adjacent toone side of the wall 41, the aperture 43 adjacent to the opposite sideof said wall, while the aperture 42 is shown as directly above theaperture 44. This arrangement of the disks and apertures provides atortuous passageway for the mixture of as and flame which insures theextinguis ing of the flame before it can reach the neck 3. The port 44,in the final disk 44 is in effect the outlet from chamber 2.

Irojecting from the base of the neck 3 is a conduit 45 for auxiliaryair. Within this casing is an annular valve seat 46 and cooperating withsaid seat is a valve 47, the stem 48 whereof is supported by a spider 49having a central extension or hub 50 provided with an annular seat 50 atthe outer end thereof for the reception of a helical spring 51 whichsurrounds the valve stem, bearing at one end against said seat and atits opposite end against a nut 52 threaded on the stem. This nut affordsa means for varying the tension of the spring and hence the degree ofsuction or vacuum at'which the valve 47 shall open as well as the extentof opening of said valve by such suction or vacuum, a lock nut 53 beingemployed to secure the nut 52 in any position to which it may beadjusted with reference to said 65 more or less uniformly distributedthroughstem.

Projectin from the base of the neck 3 and prefera ly in line, with theconduit 45 is a second air supply conduit 54, provlded with a butterflyvalve 55 mounted on a shaft 56.

Within the upper portion of the neck 3 is a throttle valve 57 of theordinary butterfly type, said throttle valve being mounted upon a shaft58. At its upper end, the neck 53 is provided with a flange 59 by meansof which it may be secured to the intake manifold of the engine or to aconduit leading thereto.

Means are provided whereby the valves 30, 55, and 57, may be operated inunison and the throw of said valves relatively to one another may bevaried as occasion may require. The shaft 56 is adj'ustably connected tothe throttle valve shaft 58 by means of an arm 60 secured to shaft '56by means of a set screw 61, an arm 62 secured in like manner to theshaft 58, and a turnbuckle link 63 connecting said arms. The lower endof the arm 60 is forked, as indicated at 60 and is connected to theturnbuckle link by means of a bolt 64 mounted in said forks andextending through a slot 63 at the bottom of said link. The lower end ofthe arm 62 is also forked, as indicated at 62*, and is connected totheupper end of the turnbuckle link by means of a bolt .65. The lost motionconnection between the valves 55 and 57 enables the latter valve to bemoved a certain distance, if desirable,

without operating the former; it alsoprovides means whereb one of saidvalves may be conveniently ad usted with reference to the other.

- of said lever carryin The valve 30 extends outwardly beyond the casing1 into a similarly located extension 24: of the conduit section 24,being provided at its outer end with a pair of pins 30 projecting intoslots 24* formed in such extension, said extension being threaded andprovided with a lock nut 66. In the end of the bore of the extension isa cup 67, receiving therewithin one end of a s ring 68, the opposite endof which bears agalnst the outer end of the valve 30 and tends to holdthe same in a position to close the port 26. Surrounding said cup is awasher 69 having a pair of prongs 69 mounted in the slots 24 andassisting to retain the spring in' oper ative relation to the valve 80and to a capped nut 70 mounted on the end of the extension 2 and servingto retain the cup 67 and the spring 68 in place as well as to provide ameans for adjusting the tension of the spring.

Pivoted to a pair of lugs 71 projecting from the casing wallis a yokedlever, the yoke legs or branchesl 72 whereof are adapted to engage thepins 30 the upper end a roller 73 which in turn bears against t e innermember of a double cam sleeved upon a stud projecting from and supportedby the casing. The stud is indicated genera ly at 74.. Thecam comprisesa supporting disk 75 havin an arm 76 projectlng therefrom and providedwith a. plurality of apertures 76 affording means whereby the cam may bevariably rotated from the throttle valve.

The supporting disk is [provided with segmental slots 75? and a centralsleeve 75 on which it is rotatably supported. Copperatinggwith saidsupporting disk is a cam disk 78 aving its inclined face presentedinwardly or toward the casing land also provided with segmental slots 78 adapted to register with the slots 75. Coiiperating with the cam disk78 is a second cam disk 79 having its inclined face presentedoutwardlyto coiiperate with the inclined face of the disk 78. The disk 79 isprovided with threaded apertures 7 9 each 'of which is adapted toreceive a screw 77 extending through the slots in the disk 75 and 78.The disks 78 and 79 are each shown as provided with a central aperturethrough which the sleeve 75 extends, said sleeve being threaded on thestud 7 4 and having a squared end 7 5 adapted to receive a wrench. Bythis, construction, it will be evident that the cam '7 8 may berotatably adjusted with reference to the disk 75 and the cam disk 79 maybe rotatably adjusted with reference to the cam disk 78 to vary thethrow of the cam as a whole and thereby the throw of the valve 30. Whenthe cam disks-shall have been properly adjusted with reference to eachother and to; the supporting disk, the disks may be secured in permanentrelation to one another by setting u on the screws 77. Furtheradjustment 0 the cam assembly as a whole longitudinally with respect tothe stud shaft may be secured by means of the central sleeve 7 5*, looknuts 7 5 and 7 5 being shown for the purpose of securing the camassembly in proper position upon said shaft.

80 denotes a second arm secured to the throttle valve shaft 58, as bymeans of a set screw 80, and havin a series of apertures 80therethrough. i having forked ends 82 provides an adjustable connectionbetween the arms 76 and 80, the arms and forked ends of the link beingconnected by means of bolts 83, adapted to enter suitably selectedapertures 76 and 80". This construction not only permits of a suit ablevariation between the throw of the throttle valve, valve 55, and thevalve 30 (through the cam disk 75 and the connections) but also permitsof the relative adj ustment of said valves irrespective of such throw.

With the parts constructed and arranged as described the operation willbe as follows, assuming that the valve 30 is in closed position and thatthe normal level of the liquid turnbuckle link 81' in the float feedchamber is slightly below the port 26. The throttle valve is opened asfar as desirable, thereby moving the valve 30 so as to permita flow ofliquid fuel through the port26. The level of the liquid fuel in thefloat feed chamber being temporarily raised for the starting operationby suitable mechanical means, the liquid fuel will flow through theconduit section 24 and through the downwardly directed outlet 28 uponthe heater body 34, to which current will have been supplied by asuitable switch in the battery circuit. The oil striking this heatedsurface will follow the groove provided therefor and will be vaporized.This vapor, mingled "with air admitted through the ermanent air port 13passes into the charm er 2, the mixture will be ignited by the sparkplug 39 and a flame will be produced by the combustion of such mixturein the chamber in the presence of the air admitted through the port 13of the valve 12. The engine is then started in the usual manner. Thesuction produced by starting and operating the engine will cause thevalve 12 to be unseated, a distance corresponding to such suction orvacuum, the valve being so designed and the tension of the spring 20 soadjusted that at all times there will be suflicient quantity of airwithin the chamber 2 to produce complete gasification of the liquid fuelsupplied thereto. As soon as the engine is started the suction producedthereby will cause a reversal of the direction of liquid suppliedthrough the port 27, the-liquid being drawn upwardly through the outlet29. The air admitted by the valve 12 is distributed to and diffusedthroughout the chamber 2, a jet of such air through the opening 37passing upwardly through the through port 27 (comprising the outlets 28and 29) and serving to atomize the entering liquid fuel, thus placing itin condition for proper and complete gasification through contact withthe flame within said chamber. The atomization of the oil by the airsupply through the aperture 37 is due to the fact that this aperture,because of its size, affords a path through which a greater part of thean admitted by the valve 12 may pass freely to the part of the chamberthereabove. The apertures 38, being relatively small, allow a smallerproportion of the air to pass therethrough, the flow of such air. beingretarded by frictional resistance, due to their small size. The openings38 rovide means for diffusing the air rom beneaththe plate 35 throughoutthe portion of the chamber 2 thereabove, this diffusion of air being animportant consideration in securing thecomplete gasification of thefuel. As soon as the engine is started, current is cut off from thepreliminary heating device 31-34. In actual practice, only about onehalfof one 3 to the engine cylinders. On its way, additional air is mxedtherewith through the automatically operating auxiliary air valve 47 andthe valve 55, which valve may be 0perated from the 'throttle valve inconjunction with the liquid supply valve 30 through 1 the connectionshereinbefore described.

Reference has been made hereinbefore to the air port 13 through thevalve 12. This iport insures a permanent supply of air to the chamber 2which is adequate for starting purposes at all times, while the plate 15serves to diffuse and distribute the air admitted through the said Valveto the plate 35 thereabove in such manner as to assist in the completegasification of the fuel. The plate 15 extends across the bottom of thechamber 2 with its periphery in close proximity to the wall of saidchamber, providing a narrow annular space therebetween. This plateserves the triple function of enabling the suction or vacuum in thechamber 2 to operate the valve 12 of smaller area attached thereto; itdiffuses and distributes the air passing therearound to the portion ofthe chamber beneath the plate 35; and, should any fuel condense upon thewall of the chamber, the air flowing around the periphery of the platecatches such oil and delivers it to-the upper portion of the chamber,where it is ignited.

The extinguisher prevents any flame from passing out of the chamber 2into the connections leading therefrom to the manifold and insures asupply of gas, unmixed with flame, at all times.

By the manner of connecting the throttle valve with the valves 30 and55, we are enabled to vary the relative throws of said valves and to socorrelate their movements as to insure a supply of liquid fuel and ofadditional auxiliary air in proportion to the throttle valve opening andto the engine demand.

The provision of the automatic air valve 12 enables us to secure asupply of air to the chamber 2 which is proportional to the liquid fueladmitted thereto, with the result that we obtain a supply of gas fromsaid chamber which is proportional to the load and speed demands of theengine and also insurea substantially constant temperature .in the gasesflowing from said chamber.

. Through the use of the plate 35, we atomiz e the liquid fuel andthereby prevent the-formation of drops which would otherwisebe-.-deposited upon the wall of said chamber and gravitate to the bottomof the producer. Furthermore, this atomizing of the liquid fuel with theair enables the flame within the producing chamber to effectuall gasifythe fuel.

ly extending the conduit section 24 into and across the chamber 2, thesaid section is subjected to the action of the flame, whereby theentering liquid fuel is given a reheating before it is atomized and thenal gasification of such fuel is facilitated. The outer end of the valve30 and its operating connections are located outside the gasifyingchamber protecting such connections and the spring 68 from detrimentalheating and rendering them conveniently accessible for assemblingadjustment, replacement and re air. a y

y reason of the construction of the cam which operates the valve 30, thesaid cam may be moved inwardly and outwardly on its shaft and the artsthereof are themselves relatively adjustable so as to vary as desiredthe opening and closing movements of said valve.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is 1. In a device ofthe character described, the combination of a chamber having an outletat its upper portion and an air supply valve in its lower portion andoperative by variations in the pressure on opposite sides thereof, aliquid fuel supply conduit extending into the said chamber and providedtherewithin with a vertically extending through port located above saidvalve, an air distributing and diffusing plate interposed between saidport and said valve, a valve controlling the supply of liquid fuel tosaid through port, a heating device below the said port, an ignitingdevice above said port, a flame extinguishing device above said ignitingdevice, an outlet connection lead- .ing from said chamber above saidextinguishing device, a conduit for auxiliary air communicating withsaid connection and an automatically operating valve therein, a secondconduit for auxiliary air communicating with said connection and a valvetherein, a throttle valve above said auxiliary air valves and adjustableconnections between said throttle valve the second auxiliary air valve,and the liquid fuel valve.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a chamberhaving an outlet connection and an air supply valve operative byvariations in the pressure on opposite sides thereof, a liquid fuelsupply conduit extending into the said chamber and provided therewithinwith a through ort, an air distributing and diffusing plate interposedbetween said port and said valve, a valve controlling the supply ofliquid fuel through said port, a heating device in operative relation tosaid port, an igniting device in o erative relation to said port, a 65flame extlnguishing device interposed between said outlet connection andsaid igniting device, a conduit for auxiliary alr communicating withsaid connection and an automatically operating valve therein, .a secondconduit for auxiliary air communicating w1th said connection and a valvetherein, a throttle valve, and means for operating said throttle valve,the second auxiliary air valve and the liquid fuel valve.

3. In a device of the character described, the comblnation of a chamberhaving an outlet connection in the upper portion thereof and a suctionoperated air sup ly valve in the lower portion thereof, sai valve havmga permanent air supply port therethrough, a liquid fuel supply conduitextendm nto said chamber and provided therewlthin with a verticallyextending throughport located above said valve, an air distributing anddiffusing plate interposed between said conduit and said valve andhaving a perforation in axial alinement w1th said port and a pluralityof smaller perforatlons, a valve controlling the supply of liquid fuelthrough said port, a heating device below said port, an igniting deviceabove said conduit, a flame extinguishing device above said ignitingdevice, a conduit for auxillary air communicating with said connectlonand a suction operated valve therein, a second conduit for auxiliary aircommunicating with said connection and a valve the1'ein,-a throttlevalve, and adjustable connections between said throttle valve, thesecond auxiliary air valve, and the liquid 100 fuel valve.

a. In a device of the character described the combination of a chamberhaving an outlet connection and an air supply valve operative byvariations in pressure on op- 105 posite sides thereof, said valvehaving a permanent air supply port therethrough, a liquid fuel supplyconduit extending into said chamber and provided therewithin with athroughport, an air distributing and diffus- 110 ing plate interposedbetween said port and said valve and having a perforation in axialalinement with said port and a plurality of smaller perforations, avalve controlling the supply of liquid fuel through said port, a 115heating device in operative relation to one of the outlets of said port,an igniting device in operative relation to the other outlet of saidport, a flame extinguishing device interposed between said ignitingdevice and 120 the outlet connection, a conduit for auxiliary aircommunicating with said connection and an automatically operating valvetherein, a second conduit for auxiliary air communicating with saidconnection and a valve therein, a throttle valve, and adjustableconnections between said throttle valve, the second auxiliary'air valve,and the liquid fuel valve. I

5. In a device of the character described,

between said igniting the combination of a chamber having an outletconnection at the top thereof and a suction-operated air valve at thebottom thereof having a permanent air supply port therethrough, a liquidfuel supply conduit extending into and across said casing and havin avertical throughport provided with oppositely directed outlets eachhaving a lip surrounding the same, a valve slidably mounted in saidconduit and controlling said port, a distributing plate movable withsaid air valve and interposed between the same and the said port, an airdistributing and diffusing plate extending across said casing betweenthe said port and the air valve, said plate having an aperturetherethrough registering with said port and provided with a multiplicityof smaller apertures in addition to the first mentioned aperture, apreliminary heating device located below said port, an igniting devicein said casing above said port, a flame extinguishing device in saidchamber above said igniting device, an outlet connection extending fromthe chamber, an auxiliary air supply conduit communicating with the saidconnection and an automatically operating air valve therein, a secondconduit for auxiliary air also communicating with said connection and avalve therein, a throttle valve beyond said auxiliary air conduits, andadjustable connections between said throttle valve the valve in thesecond auxiliary air suppl conduit and the liquid fuel valve.

6. 1 h a device of the character described,

the combination of a chamber having an outlet connection and anautomatic air valve provided with a permanent air supply porttherethrough, a liquid fuel supply conduit extending into said chamberand having a throughport provided with oppositely directed outlets eachhaving a lip surrounding the same, a valve slidably mounted in saidconduit and controlling said port, a distributing plate movable withsaid automatic air valve and interposed between the same and the saidport, an air distributing and diffusing plate extending across saidcasing between the liquid fuel supply conduit and the air valve, saidplate having an aperture therethrough registering with said port andprovided with a multiplicity of smaller apertures in addition to thefirst mentioned aperture, a preliminary heating device in operativerelation to said port, an igniting device in operative relation to saidport, a flame extinguishing device in said chamber device and the outletconnection, an auxillary air supply conduit communicating with the saidconnection and an automatically operating air valve therein, a secondconduit for auxiliary air also communicating with said connection and avalve therein, a throttle valve beyond said auxiliary air conduits, andadjustable connections between said throttle valve, the valve in thesecond auxiliary air supply conduit, and the liquid fuel valve.

7. In a device of the'character described, the combination, with achamber, of a liquid fuel conduit having an outlet communicat ng withsaid chamber, a device for preliminarily heating the liquid fuelsupplied to sald chamber, a device for initiating and mantaining agasifying flame in said cham-. her, a valve operating automatically tosupply alr to said chamber in accordance with pressure conditionstherein, and means interposed between said valve and the said outlet fordiffusing the air admitted by said valve to the generating portion ofsaid chamber. 8. In a device of the character described, thecombination, with a chamber, of a' liquid fuel supply conduit projectingthereinto and having a throughport adapted to supply fuel in oppositedirections into said chamber, a preliminary heating device arranged toreceive the fuel'supplied from one of the branches of said port, anigniting device in said chamber in operative relation to the otherbranch of said port, means for supplying air to said chamber, and meanscotiperating with the air supplying means for directing a portion ofsuch air through such port thereby to atomize the liquid fuel.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination, with achamber, of a liquid fuel supply conduit projecting thereinto and havinga branched outlet with a lip surrounding the delivery end of eachbranch, said outlet adapted to supply fuel in opposite directions intosaid chamber, a preliminary heating device arranged to receive the fuelsupplied from one of the branches of said outlet, an igniting device insaid chamber, means for supplying air to said chamber, and meanscooperating with the air supplying means for directing a por tion ofsuch air through such outlet thereby to atomize the liquid fuel therein.

10. In a device of the character described, the comblnation, with achamber having an outlet, of a liquid fuel supply conduit extending intosaid chamber and having a throughport one of the branches whereofextends toward such outlet, an igniting device interposed between suchport and said outlet, a preliminary heating device arranged to receivefuel from one of the branches of said port, an air supply connectioncommunicating with said chamber on the opposite side of the port fromthe outlet, and an air distributing and diffusing plate interposedbetween the air supply connection and the conduit and having an aperturetherethrough registering with said port.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination, with achamber having an outlet, of a liquid fuel supply conduit extending intosaid chamber and having a throughpo'rt one of the branches whereofextends toward such outlet, a. preliminary heating device arranged toreceive fuel from one of the branches of said port, an air supplyconnection communicating with said chamber on the opposite side of theconduit from the outlet, means for directing a jet ofthe air enteringsaid chamber through said port, and means for ignitingthe mixture offuel and air in said chamber.

12. In a device of the character described the combination of a chamber,a liquid fuel suppl conduit having an outlet within said cham er, avalve operative by suction or vacuum within said chamber for admittinair thereto, and an air distributing and di fusing device within saidchamber and interposed between said valve and said outlet and havingmeans for directing a jet of air in operative relation to said outlet toatomize the liquid supplied therefrom.

13.- In a device of the character described, the combination of achamber, a liquid fuel supply conduit having an outlet within saidchamber, an air supply valve 0 erative by suction or vacuum within said'0 amber for admitting air thereto and having means for admitting apredetermined amount of air to said chamber independently of itsmovement, and an air distributing and diffusing device interposedbetween said valve and said outlet and having means for directing a jetof air in operative relation to said outlet to atomize the liquid fuelsupplied therefrom. I V

14. In a device of the character described, the combination of achamber, a liquid supply conduit having a port within said chamher, anair supply valve operative by suction or vacuum in said chamber forsupplying air thereto and having a port adapted to admit a permanentsupply of air to said chamber, and a plate interposed between said valveand said port and having an aperture arranged to direct a jet of air inoperative relation to said port to atomize the fuel issuing therefromand additional apertures for diffusing the air into said cham- 15. In adevice of the character described, the combination, with a generatingchamber, of a liquid fuel supply conduit having a port for supplyingfuel to said chamber, an air valve operative by suction or vacuum insaid chamber for supplying a variable quantity of air thereto and havingmeans for admitting at all times a predetermined supply of air to saidchamber, a distributing and diffusing plate for the air admitted by saidvalve and interposed between said valve and said port, and means'for initing the mixture of air and fuel supplied to and within said chamber16. In a deviceof the character described, the combination, with agenerating chamber, of a liquid fuel supply conduit having a port forsupplying fuel to said chamber, an air valve operative by suction orvacuum in said chamber for supplying a variable quantity of air theretoand having means for admitting at all times a predetermined supply ofair to said chamber, a distributing and diffusing plate for the airadmitted by said valve and interposed between said valve and said port,a plate of reater area than said valve and connected t ereto andinterposed between the said valve and the said distributin and diffusingplate and means for lgniting the mixture of air and fuel supplled to andwithin said chamber.

17 In a device of the character described, the combination, with agenerating chamber, of a liquid fuel supply conduit extending into saidchamber and having a throughport, an air valve operated by suction orvacuum in said chamber, said air valve having means for admitting apredetermined supply of air to said chamber independent of its movement,an air distributing and diffusing plate interposed between said airvalve and said throughport and having an aperture therethroughregiste'ring with said port and provided with a multlplicity of smallerapertures additional to the first mentioned aperture, an igniting deviceinterposed betweenv the said plate and the said valve, and a plate ofgreater area than said valve and connected thereto and interposedbetween the said valve and the said igniting device.

18. Ina device of the character described, the combination, with agenerating chamber, of a liquid fuel supply conduit extending into saidchamber and having a through port, an igniting device in said chamber onone side of said conduit, an air valve operated by suction or vacuum insaid chamber and arranged on the opposite side of said conduit from thesaid igniting devlce, andv an air distributing and diffusing plateinterposed between said air valve and said throughport and havingan'aperture therethrough registering with said port and provided with amultiplicit of smaller apertures additional to the rst mentionedaperture.

'19. The combination, with a vertical chamber having means for ignitinga mixture of air and fluid fuel, of a conduit having a port forsupplying liquid fuel to said chamber, an air dlstributing and diffusingplate extending across said chamber below said port, an upwardly openingair valve below said late and having means for admitting at a 1 times apredetermined supply of air to said chamber, and a plate connected tosaid valve above the latter and extending substantially across saidchamber with its periphery in close proximity to the wall of saidchamber.

20. In a device for generating gas by subjecting a mixture of heavyliquid hydrocarbon and air to the action of a flame produced by thecombustion of a portion of such mixture, the combination of a gasgenerating chamber having an air inlet and an outlet, a liquid fuelconduit having a throughport interposed between said inlet and outlet,means for delivering a portion of the air supplied by said inlet as aforcible jet into the throughport, thereby to atomize the fuel, andmeans for igniting the mixture of air and fuel supplied to and withinsaid chamber.

21. In a device for generating gas by subjecting a mixture of heavyliquid hydrocarbon and all to the action of a flame produced by thecombustion of a portion of such mixture, the combination of a gasgenerating chamber having an air inlet and an outlet, a liquid fuelconduit having its delivery end interposed between the inlet and outlet,means for delivering a portion of the air supplied by said inlet as aforcible jet across the delivery end of the conduit thereby to atomizethe fuel, and means for igniting the mixture of air and fuel supplied toand within said chamber.

22. In a device of the character described, the combination of agenerating chamber having an air inlet and an outlet, a conduit havingits delivery end interposed between the inlet and outlet, means fordelivering a portion of the air supplied by said inlet as a forcible jetacross the delivery end of the conduit thereby to atomize the fuel,means for diffusing the remainder of such air throughout the saidchamber, and igniting means located within said chamber and between thedelivery end of the conduit and the outlet.

23. In a device of the character described,

having its delivery end interposed between.

the inlet and outlet, a plate extending across said chamber between saidinlet and the delivery end of the conduit, said plate having an openingadapted to supply a jet of air across such delivery end of the conduitand a plurality of air diffusing openings additional to such jetopening, and means for igniting the mixture of air and fuel supplied toand within said chamber.

24. In a device for generating gas by subjecting a mixture of heavyliquid hydrocarbon and air to the action of a flame produced by thecombustion of a portion of such mixture, the combination of a gasgenerating chamber having an outlet and an air inlet opening, a liquidfuel conduit extending into said chamber between said inlet opening andsaid outlet, a valve controlling sald inlet opening and operable by thesuc tion or vacuum in said chamber, and means for igniting the mixtureof air and fuel supplied to and within said chamber.

25. In a device of the character described, the combination of agenerating chamber hav ng'an outlet and an air inlet opening, a liquidfuel conduit extending into said chamber between said inlet opening andsaid outlet, a valve controlling said inlet openlng and operable by thesuction or vacuum in said chamber, said valve having means irrespectiveof its movement for admitting air to said chamber, and means forigniting the mixture of air and fuel supplied to and within saidchamber.

26. In a device of the character described, the combination, with agenerating chamber having an air inlet and an outlet, of a liquid fuelsupply conduit having an outlet for supplying liquidfuel to said chamberbetween its inlet and outlet, an air valve operative by suction orvacuum in said chamber for supplying air thereto from said inlet, aplate of greater area than said valve and connected thereto andinterposed between the said valve and the conduit outlet, and means forigniting the mixture of air and fuel supplied to and within saidchamber.

27. The combination, with a chamber having means for igniting a mixtureof air and fluid fuel, of a conduit, having an outlet for supplyingliquid fuel to said chamber, an air valve in operative relation to saidoutlet, a plate connected to said valve and extending substantiallyacross said chamber with its periphery in close proximity to the wall ofsaid chamber, and means for igniting the mixture of air and fuelsupplied to and within said chamber.

28. In a device of the character described, the combination of achamber, a liquid fuel supply conduit communicating therewith, a valveoperative by vacuum or suction in said chamber for admitting airthereto, means independent of the movement of said valve for admitting apermanent supply of air to said chamber, a spring resisting'the openingof said valve, means for varying the resistance offered by said springto such opening of said valve, and means for igniting the mixture ofsuch air with the liquid fuel in said chamber.

29. In a device of the character described, the combination of achamber, a liquid fuel supply conduit projecting thereinto and having athrou h port providing oppositely directed disc arge outlets, the loweroutlet having an annular lip surrounding the same, a preliminary heatingdevice below the lower outlet, and an igniting device within saidchamber.

30. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a chamber, a fuel supply conduit projecting into thesaid chamber and provided with a port therein and a preiminary heatingdevice detachably secured to said chamber and extending in operativerelation to said port, said device comprising an insulating body havinga liquid receiving groove and a resistance element mounted in saidgroove.

31. In a device of the character described, the combination of achamber, a liquid fuel supply conduit rojecting into said chamberthrough the wall thereof and having a downwardly directed discharge portwithin said chamber and a preliminary heating device detachablyconnected to the wall of said chamber and extending beneath andsubstantially parallel with said conduit and beneath the ort thereof,said device comprising an insu ating body having a spiral grooveextending therearound, and a resistance element mounted in said groove.

32. In a device of the character described, the combination of agenerating chamber having an air port, a preliminary heating deviceabove said port, a liquid fuel supply conduit extending into saidchamber and provided with a through port above and having one of itsbranches directed toward said heating device, an igniting device in saidchamber abovesaid conduit and the other branch of said through port, anda flame extinguishing device above said igniting device.

33. In a device of the character described, the combination of agenerating chamber having an air port and an outlet, a liquid fuelsupply conduit projecting into said chamber between said port and outletand having a through port one of the branches whereof is directed towardsaid air port and the other branch toward said outlet, and an ignitingdevice interposed between said conduit and said outlet.

34. In a device of the character described, the combination of agenerating chamber having an air port and an outlet, a liquid fuelsupply conduit projecting into said chamber between said port and outletand having a through port one of the branches whereof is directed towardsaid air port, an igniting device interposed between said conduit andsaid outlet, and a preliminary heating device interposed between the airport and the through port and arranged to receive liquid fuel from thebranch of said through port which is directed toward said air port.

35; In a device of the character described, the combination of agenerating chamber having an air port and an outlet, a liquid fuelsupply conduit extendin into said chamber between said port an outletand having a vertically extending through port, apreliminary heatingdevice in said chamber below the lower branch of said through port, anigniting device in said chamber above said condult, and a flameextinguishing device above said igniting device.

36. In a device of the character described, the combination of agenerating chamber, a liquid fuel conduit extending therethrough andhaving a throughport intermediate of its ends in said chamber and a fuelsupply bore extending to said port from one end thereof, a valve mountedin the opposite portion of said conduit from said bore for controllingthe supply of liquid fuel to said port and having an operating portionlocated outside said chamber, means for supplying air to said chamber atone side of sald through port, an igniting device in said chamber on theopposite side of said through port from such air supply, means locatedoutside of said chamber for operating said valve, and means forextinguishing the flame produced by said igniting device.

37. In a device of the character described, the combination of agenerating chamber, a liquid fuel supply conduit extending therethroughand having a through port inter mediate of its ends in said chamber anda supply bore extending to said port from one end thereof, areciprocating valve mounted in the opposite portion of said conduit fromsaid bore and having an operating portion located outside said chamber,a lever cooperating with said operation portion of said valve andlocated outside said chamber, means for supplying air to said chamber atone side of said through port, an igniting device in said chamber on theopposite side of said through rt from such air supply, a flameextinguishing device, a valve for admitting air to the gaseous mixturebeyond said flame extinguishing device, a throttle valve, and operativeconnections between said valves.

38. In a device of the character described, the combination of agenerating chamber having an air inlet and an outlet, a liquid fuelconduit extending through said chamber and having a port intermediate ofIts ends in said chamber and a liquid fuel supply bore extending fromone end thereof to said port, a valve coiiperatmg with said bore andmounted in the opposite portion of the conduit therefrom and extendingoutside said chamber, an igniting device interposed between said con uitand said outlet, and means for extinguishing the flame produced by saidigniting device.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto afiix our signatures.

EDWARD A. WEST. EDWARD E. PARSONS.

